But Valentine Walter says: "But first he examined the papers which I had brought. He said that three of them were essential, and that he must keep them. ’You cannot keep them,’ said I. ’There will be a dreadful row at Woolwich if they are not returned.’ ’I must keep them,’ said he, ’for they are so technical that it is impossible in the time to make copies.’ ’Then they must all go back together to-night,’ said I. He thought for a little, and then he cried out that he had it. ’Three I will keep,’ said he. ’The others we will stuff into the pocket of this young man. When he is found the whole business will assuredly be put to his account.’"
If Cadogan West hadn't followed Walter and been murdered, then there would be no-one to blame for stealing the 3 important papers. There wasn't time to copy them - and Walter wouldn't have allowed Oberstein to keep them. He would have insisted on taking them all back that night - and I can't really see him making a second attempt. Also, Johnson says: “It would take considerable technical knowledge to copy the plans in an effective way.” Valentine Walter wouldn't have had the technical ability himself to make a copy. So if Cadogan West hadn't seen Walter on his way to the theatre, then he'd still be alive and the papers would have gone safely back to the office, with no secrets being passed on to any enemies. Cadogan West was a brave man but his death made things worse.
I do like the theory from your new book though ^_^ It does make sense that Oberstein would have been able to bargain with the authorities in that way.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2015-11-15 11:19 pm (UTC)If Cadogan West hadn't followed Walter and been murdered, then there would be no-one to blame for stealing the 3 important papers. There wasn't time to copy them - and Walter wouldn't have allowed Oberstein to keep them. He would have insisted on taking them all back that night - and I can't really see him making a second attempt. Also, Johnson says: “It would take considerable technical knowledge to copy the plans in an effective way.” Valentine Walter wouldn't have had the technical ability himself to make a copy. So if Cadogan West hadn't seen Walter on his way to the theatre, then he'd still be alive and the papers would have gone safely back to the office, with no secrets being passed on to any enemies. Cadogan West was a brave man but his death made things worse.
I do like the theory from your new book though ^_^ It does make sense that Oberstein would have been able to bargain with the authorities in that way.